"The Rivals" encourages a concept of female empowerment through the various female characters. Through the personas of different individuals and their reactions and demeanours they inspire the modern women to be not be intimidated by men nor their social perception but to use your intelligence and intellect to work the situation to your advantage. This is relatable as to the modern women as women in the play have relatable qualities which allow us to identify with them and as a result we learn from their behaviour and become inspired by their resourcefulness. Mrs Malaprop is an inspiration to the modern women through her focus on academic integrity. We relate as women as we have sympathy for her, this brings down the pretentious wall which is often enforced and a more vulnerable and human side is exposed of her. She represents a form of female empowerment as she has a strong robust emotional shield to deflect disrespect or insults said towards her; she does not take offence. It is important to take into consideration women in the 1700’s were seen as nothing more than mere objects. They were to be controlled in the age of enlightenment. Men took the role of the puppeteer and women took the role of the puppets. Mrs Malaprop’s strong exterior is therefore further inspirational to the modern women as demonstrates a boldness and independence contradictory to the normal women, she is not intimidated by men. In act 4 Jack absolute belittles and humiliates Mrs Malaprop; ‘As for the old weather-beaten she-dragon who guards you’. Referring to her as a ‘weather-beaten she-dragon’ he is implying that Malaprop is an old brute. For a man to be so disrespectful to older/elderly women we in Mrs Malaprop's position would want to put Absolute back in his place. Mrs Malaprop however replies ‘Me, Sir-me-he means me there- what do you think now?. She is intelligent in her response and collectively replies in an undisturbed and controlled manner. Using her questioning ‘what do you think now? She is controlled and does not take offence, yet she takes issue on the comment showing a maturity to her character. To the modern women Mrs Malaprop encourages maturity and intelligence in the face of childishness. We as a result applaud her response and our perception of her character becomes higher with a more diverse and dynamic idea of her. In the 1700’s, women were seen as nothing more than mere objects. During the time of ‘The Rivals’ the role of women was determined around the time philosophers and scientists, all males, it was a controlling society. Women were therefore seen as the “second sex”, and deemed second in importance. Their importance in society was therefore belittled as well as their personas stereotyped. Lucy is an example of this prejudice as she embodies the aspirations and identity of a simpleton. As Mrs Malaprop’s maid sh